UK. London Heathrow Airport served 5.8 million passengers in February, up by +11.6% year-on-year and a new record for the month.
The figures were buoyed by the busiest half-term period ever plus the extra leap year day on 29 February. By key region, non-EU Europe (+14.3%), Middle East (+15%) and Asia Pacific (+23.8%) routes outperformed average growth.
The latest route additions at Heathrow include more services to the north of the UK with Loganair, BA routes to Abu Dhabi, Kos and Izmir, a new Virgin Atlantic service to Bangalore and the return of Vueling to Barcelona and Paris Orly in time for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Heathrow also lamented the UK Chancellor’s failure to reintroduce VAT-free airside shopping for overseas visitors in last week’s Spring Budget, as reported.
Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said: “It was wonderful to welcome so many passengers for the first holiday peak of 2024, setting a new Heathrow record. While we are serving more people, visitors to the UK are spending less since the removal of tax-free shopping, impacting businesses across the country. The Spring Budget was a missed opportunity to give the whole tourism, hospitality and retail sector the support it needs to compete internationally.” ✈
